It’s derby time again! The Sharks meet HCB Südtirol twice within 48 hours.
Innsbruck against Bolzano – a derby that always promises emotional, intense games. This week too, even though the signs couldn’t be more different for both teams and the roles are clearly assigned before the games. On the one hand there is HC TIWAG Innsbruck-Die Haie, who are bottom of the table and are going into the duels as underdogs, and on the other hand there is HCB Südtirol Alperia, fourth in the table and unbeaten in seven derbies against the Haie.
Nevertheless, the Innsbruck camp is fighting hard before today’s encounter in the TIWAG Arena. “We are ready and looking forward to the duels with the Foxes. They always play hard, are very structured and give you little space. We have to be prepared for that. For us it is also important to play hard and compact, play simply and put a lot of targets on goal,” says Kilian Rappold. The HCI striker has recently shown improving form and was able to celebrate a goal and an assist in the home win against Graz.
As in every season, Bozen has set itself high goals and wants to play for the title again. The Foxes are currently safely in the top 6 and in fourth place, three points behind third-place Salzburg. The Bolzano team recently suffered a 4:7 away defeat against the Red Bulls in the top game. In a spectacular game, only two late goals from Michael Raffl ensured the final decision in favor of the champions.
In the last six games, the Foxes suffered four defeats, but three of them came after overtime or a shootout. In the last 14 games, the South Tyroleans were able to score a whopping 12 times. Both previous season duels with the Haie went to the HCB. In October the Foxes won 4-1 in the TIWAG Arena, and at the end of November there was a narrow 2-1 win in Bolzano after a close game.
HC TIWAG Innsbruck-Die Haie – HCB Südtirol Alperia
‘Wednesday, January 21st, 2026, 7:15 p.m. – TIWAG Arena
HCB Südtirol Alperia – HC TIWAG Innsbruck-The Haie
Friday, January 23rd, 2026, 7:45 p.m. – Sparkasse Arena Bozen
hcinnsbruck.at , Image: HCI / PAPA Productions
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